This is the site of the Friends of the West Town Museum of Cultural History in Maywood, Illinois. The site serves to promote the institution and activities of the Museum and its affilate, Operation Uplift Inc.

Sunday, July 1, 2007

Tribute to Blues at West Town Museum

Northica Stone joins Shirley King, the daughter of legendary blues artist B.B. King, at a special event in the museum. Ms. King delight the audience with a few selections.

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West Town Museum

Founded in1995, under the Not-For-Profit umbrella of Operation UpLift, Inc. Its missionis to explore, research, interpret, preserve and educate society about thediverse and rich history of Maywood, Illinois and the surroundingsuburban communities.

This historyconnects all people to the National and International spirit that embraces thehuman experience.

One of itsprime missions is exhibited in our archives, of the existence of the Maywood—McDonald’s “TenMile House” stop on the Underground Railroad. It was a part of thatrunaway slave network which led African-Americans from the South, to the Northand into Canada.As early as 1830, this abolitionist movement was active thru the efforts of theFather of the Underground, David Ruggles and later, the famous Harriett Tubmanand others.

There arepictorial exhibits, including the 1869 founding of Maywood by Col. William T. Nichols, a hero ofthe Civil War. It also connects Maywoodto abolitionist Zebina Eastman, Bessie Coleman, Charles Lindbergh and theCheckerboard Air Field.

The Museumalso chronicles the lives of some of the first Black residents of Oak Park, River Forest,Melrose Park, LaGrange and Maywood. Also included is the profile of Dr.Percy L. Julian, world-renowned chemist, a civil rights leader and a Maywood resident between1935-1950.

Annually,the Museum hosts special events during the holidays of Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr. and Black History Month.

Futureexpansion plans are to construct a new 3-story facility to include anall-purpose auditorium space.

The Museumis certified as the Maywood Public Museum;and is a member of the Illinois Association of Museums, the Maywood HistoricalSociety and the Maywood Chamber of Commerce. We are promoting community prideand tourism.

COME VISIT US!

Calendar of Events

Jan 15- Dr. King Annual Event

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Proposed Future West Town Museum Expansion Site

Over a thousand items and artifacts at the West Town Museum

Original Ten Mile Freedom House

This structure served as a freedom station for slaves during the Underground Railroad era in the 1800's. It was located at Lake Street along the bank of the Des Plaines River near 1st Ave in Maywood. An Undergorund Railroad Memorial has now been erected at the location. The West Town Museum helped sponsor the memorial and also features informative exhibits about this site, the Underground Railroad, and the slavery era within the museum galleries.

Underground Railroad Memorial

Located on Lake St. at the Des Plaines River Bridge

Sculptural symbolic representation of escaping from the chains of slavery bondage and entering the mysterious journey of the underground railroad to freedom is one feature of the Memorial.

Plaque text at the memorial

Unique Historical Exhibits

The museum has a variety of informative , unique historical exhibits about African American culture, Maywood and the Proviso Township area unlike no other place!